An extension for python REPL, inspired by PostgreSQL shell. Write '\e' to open an external editor for commands, '\r' to reset the buffer.

shell.py

##
# Copyright 2013 Yury Selivanov <yselivanov@sprymix.com>
# License: MIT
##


import code
import subprocess
import os
import sys
import tempfile


try:
    import readline
except ImportError:
    readline = None


class Console(code.InteractiveConsole):
    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
        self.editor = os.environ.get('EDITOR', 'vim')
        self.tmp = None
        self.new_buffer()

    def show_editor(self):
        subprocess.call([self.editor, self.tmp.name])

    def new_buffer(self, text=None):
        if self.tmp:
            self.tmp.close()

        self.tmp = tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile('w+t', suffix=".py")
        if text:
            self.tmp.write(text)
            self.tmp.flush()

    def push(self, line):
        self.buffer.append(line)
        source = "\n".join(self.buffer)
        more = self.runsource(source, self.filename)
        if not more:
            if source.strip():
                self.new_buffer(text=source)
            self.resetbuffer()
        return more

    def raw_input(self, prompt=''):
        line = input(prompt)

        if line.count('\n') > 0:
            self.new_buffer(text=line)
            self.runsource(line, self.filename, 'exec')
            return ''

        if line == r'\e':
            self.show_editor()

            with open(self.tmp.name, 'rt') as buffer:
                lines = buffer.read().strip('\n')

            if readline:
                readline.add_history(lines)

            print(lines)
            
            self.runsource(lines, self.filename, 'exec')
            return ''

        if line == r'\r':
            self.new_buffer()
            return ''

        if line == r'\?':
            print(r'\e', ' ' * 10, 'edit the console buffer with external editor')
            print(r'\r', ' ' * 10, 'reset (clear) the buffer')
            return ''

        return line

    def __enter__(self):
        return self

    def __exit__(self, *exc):
        if self.tmp:
            self.tmp.close()


if __name__ == '__main__':
    with Console() as console:
        console.interact()